I’m writing in response to the May 28 article “Band’s pullout irks veterans in Monroe.”

(The article concerns the late withdrawal of the Williamstown High School Marching Band from the Monroe Township Memorial Day Parade, ostensibly because the band director, Jim McAloon, had been placed on medical leave by the school district.)

I will start by repeating this sentence from the article: “School district officials in Monroe Township did not return calls for comment Friday.” This does not surprise me.

I have been involved with the band for years and would like people to know that what has been taking place with the band director and his administration is a disgrace. Jim McAloon has been in this district for 11 years with a flawless career, as well as another 10 years in Pennsville.

It seems to me that the high school administrators like to railroad certain individuals for having an absolute positive effect on their students.

As a band booster and mother of two members of the marching band, I am very upset that these students could not honor their veterans. The band has participated every year for the last 10 years that the band director was asked to participate. The only time the band missed the parade was when someone at the high school planned a prom for the same weekend, and only six band members were available.

After the May 28 article was published, the WHS Band Boosters immediately reached out to Joe Reed, commander of American Legion Post 252, to let him know that the situation had nothing to do with the band or its director. It had everything to do with the high school administration, which was fully aware that Jim McAloon was leaving as of May 20 due to harassment that he was receiving from administrators. It was the administration that chose to not make any arrangements for the marching unit to march in the parade.

May I add that Jim McAloon comes from a family of many who have served their country, including his father, and he has taught many students who are now proud servicemen and servicewomen for our country.